The present invention relates to a faucet structure, and in particular to a constant water temperature faucet structure.
The constant water temperature faucet structure, is also referred to as constant temperature water faucet, or constant temperature shower water mixing faucet. Its function is to mix the hot and cold water automatically into warm water of preset temperature.
In the early years, the hot and cold water mixing faucet is referred to as a Two Handle Mixer. In operation, a user has to rotate the hot water and cold water rotation knobs, to control and regulate the input amount of hot water and cold water, to mix them into warm water of a desired temperature. In recent years, the second generation hot-cold water mixing faucet is referred to as a Single Handle Faucet, having its center provided with a temperature adjusting valve core of ceramic plate. In operation, the user may swing the handle to the left or to the right, to adjust the temperature of the mixed water; or the user may swing the handle upward or downward, to adjust the amount of the output water. Different designs of conventional water mixing faucets are known, for example, from the documents
However, for the two types of conventional water mixing faucets, when the pressure of hot water or cold water changes suddenly, or when the temperature of the hot water changes suddenly, the temperature of the mixed water has to be readjusted again through meticulous manual operations. Therefore, presently, the design and performance of the water mixing faucet is not quite satisfactory, and it leaves much room for improvement.
In view of the problems and drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a constant water temperature faucet structure, to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.
A major objective of the present invention is to provide a constant water temperature faucet structure, that is capable of regulating the temperature of output water at fast speed, reducing the length of water channel, while saving the space occupied by the faucet.
The constant water temperature faucet structure of the present invention includes: a main body, a cold water input tube, a hot water input tube, an output water switching handle, and a temperature control rotation handle. Wherein, the main body includes: an outer shell, a constant temperature valve core, a water channel switching rod, a central hole channel, a compression spring, a tight seal pad, a water outlet hole, and a water output hole.
In the structure mentioned above, the cold water input tube and the hot water input tube are connected respectively to the outer shell, inside the outer shell is provided with a constant temperature valve core connected to the cold water input tube and the hot water input tube, and the water channel switching rod in communication with a water output port of the constant temperature valve core. In the central portion of the water channel switching rod is provided with a central hole channel. On the surface of the water channel switching rod is provided with a water outlet hole in communication with the central hole channel. On the outer shell is provided with the water output hole in communication with the water outlet hole, while on the water outlet hole is provided with a tight seal pad, having its center provided with a water passage hole. A compression spring is provided between the tight seal pad and the water outlet hole, and the constant temperature valve core is connected to the temperature control rotation handle located at one end of the outer shell, while the output water switching handle located at the other end of the outer shell is connected to the water channel switching rod.
In addition, the axial line of the water output hole is perpendicular to the plane of axial lines of the hot and cold water input tubes. The two water output holes on the outer shell are disposed symmetrically on the two sides of the plane of axial lines of the hot and cold water input tubes.
Further, the water channel switching rod is designed to have three working positions: one water-close working position, and two water-output working positions. When the water channel switching rod is in the water-close working position, the axial line of the water outlet hole is in the plane of axial lines of the hot and cold water input tubes. When the water channel switching rod is in the water-output working position, the axial line of the water outlet hole is perpendicular to the plane of axial lines of the hot and cold water input tubes. At this time, the water outlet hole is in communication with the water output hole.
Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: simple in construction and convenient in installation, to achieve cost reduction; water temperature can be adjusted at high speed, to reduce length of water channel, and save the space occupied by the faucet.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed descriptions given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed descriptions and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed descriptions.
The related drawings in connection with the detailed descriptions of the present invention to be made later are described briefly as follows, in which:
The purpose, construction, features, functions and advantages of the present invention can be appreciated and understood more thoroughly through the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings.
Refer to
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In the structure mentioned above, the cold water input tube 1 and the hot water input tube 2 are connected respectively to the outer shell 3, inside the outer shell 3 is provided with the constant temperature valve core 4 connected to the cold water input tube 1 and the hot water input tube 2, and the water channel switching rod 5 in communication with a water output port of the constant temperature valve core 4. In the central portion of the water channel switching rod 5 is provided with a central hole channel 6. On the surface of the water channel switching rod 5 is provided with a water outlet hole 7 in communication with the central hole channel 6. On the outer shell 3 is provided with the water output hole 8 in communication with the water outlet hole 7, on the water outlet hole 7 is provided with a tight seal pad 9, having its center provided with a water passage hole. A compression spring 15 is provided between the tight seal pad 9 and the water outlet hole 7, and the constant temperature valve core 4 is connected to the temperature control rotation handle 10 located at one end of the outer shell 3, while the output water switching handle 11 located at the other end of the outer shell 3 is connected to the water channel switching rod 5.
In addition, to realize better design and achieve two different water outputs, the axial line of the water output hole 8 is perpendicular to the plane of axial lines of the cold and hot water input tubes 1 and 2. The two water output holes 8 on the outer shell 3 are disposed symmetrically on the two sides of the plane of axial lines of the cold and hot water input tubes 1 and 2.
Further, the water channel switching rod 5 is designed to have three working positions: one water-close working position, and two water-output working positions. When the water channel switching rod 5 is in the water-close working position, the axial line of the water outlet hole 7 is in the plane of axial lines of the cold and hot water input tubes 1 and 2. When the water channel switching rod 5 is in the water-output working position, the axial line of the water outlet hole 7 is perpendicular to the plane of axial lines of the cold and hot water input tubes 1 and 2. At this time, the water outlet hole 7 is in communication with the water output hole 8.
In order to reduce weight and facilitate regulation, the rear end cross section of the water channel switching rod 5 is of a cross shape, while the output water switching handle 11 is a circular sleeve. At the bottom of the circular sleeve is provided with a protrusion column. On the protrusion column is provided with an open slot 12 matching and working in cooperation with the rear end cross shape cross section of the water channel switching rod 5.
When the constant water temperature faucet structure is in operation, cold water and hot water flow respectively into the outer shell 3 through the cold water input tube 1 and the hot water input tube 2. Then, the cold water and hot water are adjusted by the temperature control rotation handle 10, and subsequently they are regulated and mixed by the constant temperature valve core 4. Afterwards, warm water of the desired temperature is output from the output port of the constant temperature valve core 4. Finally, output water switching handle 11 is rotated, to make the water outlet hole 7 in communication with the water output hole 8, such that warm water of desired temperature is output from the water output hole 8 located between the cold and hot water input tubes 1 and 2. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: simple in construction and convenient in installation, to achieve cost reduction; water temperature can be adjusted at high speed, to reduce length of water channel, and save the space occupied by the faucet.
The above detailed description of the preferred embodiment is intended to describe more clearly the characteristics of the present invention. However, the preferred embodiments disclosed above are not intended to be any restrictions to the scope of the present invention. Conversely, its purpose is to include the various changes and equivalent arrangements which are within the scope of the appended claims.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.